By IANS,
Rohtak (Haryana): Police in Haryana’s Jhajjar district Thursday began a probe into violence after people from the Dalit community were allegedly prevented from offering prayers by upper caste people at a village shrine during Holi celebrations.
A number of people from the Dalit community met Jhajjar district police chief Anil Dhawan and sought registration of a case against some upper caste people of village Jahangirpur, 50 km from New Delhi.
They alleged that they were manhandled and restrained from offering prayers. They said that there was panic among the Dalit community following the incident.
No case has so far been registered by police.
“We (Dalits) have been offering prayers separately from the upper castes during Holi for the last many years. However, we were stopped from doing so this time,” said Brahma Nand, a victim.
“We will leave the village if action is not taken against the accused in this regard. The police authorities should ensure the safety and security of the SC families in the village,” said Poonam, another victim.
Dhawan told IANS that the case was being probed as upper caste people had also suffered injuries in the clash. They had also met him and demanded a fair investigation into the matter.
“Statements of people of both the parties are being recorded to ascertain the facts. Anyone found guilty in the probe will not be spared,” Dhawan said.
He said police personnel were sent to the village immediately after getting the information about violence between the groups.